Conan the Phenomenon

The Legacy of Robert E. Howard's Fantasy Icon

Since his debut in 1932, Conan the Barbarian has been the preeminent sword and sorcery hero. Robert E. Howard created the genre with his original stories; Frank Frazetta's definitive Conan book covers set the standard for dynamic fantasy artwork; Roy Thomas, with Barry Windsor-Smith and later John Buscema, used the character to push the boundaries of comic-book adventure; and Arnold Schwarzenegger launched an amazing film career with his iconic portrayal of the barbarian.